A Century-Long Tradition – Plaza Lighting Ceremony
Plaza Lights circa. 1980s. PC: Missouri Valley Special Collections
The Country Club Plaza opened its first stores in 1923, and just two years later, in 1925, the first string of holiday lights was hung across the Mill Creek Building. Five years later, in 1930, that simple start flourished into a public ceremony. For 95 years, the Plaza Lighting Ceremony has been a yearly tradition for Kansas Citians and visitors. Friends, couples, and families bundle up every Thanksgiving and gather on the Plaza that evening to watch the iconic lights flicker back on for another holiday season.
“I’ve always loved seeing the Plaza Lights,” Ellen remembers. “I remember back before the switch to LED bulbs, when the lights had a truly magical glow and really sparkled!”
The Plaza’s holiday lighting ceremony has gone nearly uninterrupted, canceled only once, in 1975, when President Nixon asked Americans to forgo holiday lights as part of the effort to curb that era’s energy crisis.
Click here to read KC Yesterday’s fantastic article about the Plaza Lights!
Looking Ahead at the Plaza
PC: Kansas City Star – This rendering shows the proposed office and restaurant space in the area previously occupied by Nordstrom.
In mid-2024, the Country Club Plaza was acquired by Dallas-based Gillon Property Group. No strangers to KC, the firm is led by descendants of H.L. Hunt, the father of Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt.
The focus behind the scenes will initially include improvements to garages, infrastructure, lighting, pedestrian areas, degraded architectural features, and security equipment. After addressing those basics, Gillon intends to revitalize the Plaza, preserving and enhancing its historic charm while making it a more pedestrian-friendly space for all visitors and residents. Proposed changes include widening sidewalks and closing off certain streets to automobile traffic for more walkable space.
Of course, the Plaza’s iconic Spanish-Mediterranean style will remain. In fact, all new construction and major renovations will adhere to strict design standards to preserve its timeless beauty. Plans reportedly include new office and residential space, luxury retailers, local shops and eateries, and a new boutique hotel. The city approved the group’s proposal for a 275-foot-tall building on the former Nordstrom lot (Seville West) that will be occupied by 60,000 sq. ft. of office space and 10,000 sq. ft. of restaurant space. Some of the new businesses that will be opening in the near-term include Perch (a women’s fashion pop-up), J. H. & Sons (a high-end men’s clothing retailer), The Current Shop (located in the former Starbucks location), and Vertice Italian – a new restaurant from the Summit Hospitality Group.
Major changes to such a treasured regional destination make Kansas Citians nervous, naturally, but excitement is building for the future of the historic shopping district. Through thoughtful improvements and careful development, these changes promise to honor the Plaza’s vibrant spirit, making it an even more welcoming landmark for another 100 years!
